The Queenstown Patrol, 1917

The Diary of Commander Joseph Knefler Taussig,

U.S. Navy

Edited by William N. Still, Jr.

Naval War College Press Newport, Rhode Island

1996

Scanned and electronically published by American Naval Records Society

Bolton Landing, New York 2010

AS A WORK OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THIS PUBLICATION IS IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.

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Naval War College

Historical Monograph Series

No. 12

The historical monographs in this series are book-length studies of the history

of naval warfare, edited historical documents, conference proceedings, and

bibliographies that are based wholly or in part on source materials in the Historical

Collection of the Naval War College. Financial support for research projects,

conference support, and printing is provided by the Naval War College

Foundation.

The photograph carried on the half-title page is of Captain Joseph K. Taussig, U.S. Navy,

18 May 1918. From The United States Navy in the World War, Official Pictures (Washington,

D.C.: Pictorial Bureau, 1921).

Our cover, a representation of the Return of the Mayflower in oil on canvas by Bernard F.

Gribble, details the Wadsworth and the Porter leading a column of U.S. destroyers under

Commander Joseph K. Taussig, U.S. Navy, arriving off Queenstown, Ireland, on 4 May

1917. For the quotation "We Are Ready Now," please see endnote 84. The painting is on

display in the U.S. Naval Academy Museum collection and is a gift of the U.S. Navy

Department. The photo for this cover was kindly provided by Ed Finney Jr. of the Photo

Collection, Curator Branch, Naval Historical Center, Washington, D.C.

Cover designed and prepared by Joan Y. Mikosh-Johnson.

TJi e 1917

The Diary of

Commander Joseph Knefler Taussig,

U.S. Navy

Edited by William N. Still, Jr.

Naval War College Press

Newport, Rhode Island

1996

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Taussig, Joseph K. (Joseph Knefler), 1877-1947.

The Queenstown patrol, 1917 : the diary of commander Joseph

Knefler Taussig, U.S. Navy / edited by William N. Still, Jr.

p. cm. (Naval War College historical monograph series ;

no. 12)

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 1-884733-07-7

1. Taussig, Joseph K. (Joseph Knefler), 1877-1947Diaries.

2. World War, 1914-1918Naval operations, American. 3. Destroyers

(Warships)United StatesHistory. 4. United States. Navy-

-Biography. 5. World War, 1914-1918Personal narratives, American.

6. AdmiralsUnited StatesDiaries. I. Title. II. Series: U.S.

Naval War College historical monograph series ; no. 12.

D589.U6T38 1996 96-39103

940.4*5973dc21 CIP

Printed in the United States of America

To the late Paul B. Ryan, Captain, U.S. Navy (Retired)

Contents

Foreword tx

Editor's Note xi

Introduction 1

I The First Month 5

II Escorts and Convoy 35

III Convoying 65

IV Escort Commander 99

V Home 145

Endnotes 181

About the Editor 209

Index of Monograph Series 211

Foreword

It is my pleasure to introduce this addition to our Historical Monograph Series,

selected from the personal papers of Rear Admiral Joseph K. Taussig, which are

contained in the Naval Historical Collection Division of our Library. The

collection includes his diaries and journals, fitness and medical reports,

photographs, and miscellaneous items such as certificates, imprints, citations, and

newspaper clippings. Published here is the diary that Taussig kept during his time

in command of the first U.S. destroyers to arrive in the war zone in 1917.

Professor William N. Still, Jr., has chosen to mark a turning point in U.S. naval

history. The diary is more than interesting and colorful information about the

wartime exploits of a distinguished U.S. naval officer, and it is even more than the

"insider's" narrative of an operational challenge amply fulfilled. The entries,

letters, and reports reveal U.S. and Allied naval personnel grappling with the issues

of technological, tactical, and doctrinal innovation; the difficulties of the Navy's

early experiences in combined command, control, communication, and

coordination; the sometimes awkward matching of operational means with

strategic ends; the troubles in mastering both shallow-water and open-ocean

antisubmarine warfare; and even the distressing consequences of friendly fire.

Most importantly, we find in then-Commander Taussig's diary the earliest

glimpses of American naval participation in modern coalition warfare.

At the Naval War College, officers are encouraged to explore the historical

record with an eye for perspectives on contemporary challenges. This monograph

gives that opportunity to a larger audience, who will find the lessons of history

woven into a pleasurable reading experience. Enjoy the seamanship, the

personalities and the humor. Taussig must have been good company.

rk

Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy

President, Naval War College

Editor's Note

World War One is often referred to as a forgotten or neglected war, particularly

American participation in it. In comparison to the American Civil War, World

War Two, or even the Vietnam conflict, this is true; it has generally been ignored

by American historians. The naval side has certainly been neglected. Unlike the

Civil War or World War Two, there are relatively few published accounts by U.S.

naval participants. Yet there is an abundance of unpublished, firsthand, personal

papers relating to naval activities in World War One in repositories scattered

throughout the United States. The "Queenstown Patrol** diary of [then]

Commander Joseph Taussig is one of these previously unpublished manuscripts.

I am indebted to a number of individuals and institutions for their assistance

in preparing this diary for publication. Dr. William Dudley, Charles Bodine, and

various staff members of the Operational Archives Division at the Naval Historical

Center, Washington, D.C., were most helpful in providing information about

Taussig. The same is true of Dr. Richard von Doenhoff, naval specialist and

archivist, Military Reference Branch, National Archives. The Naval War College

awarded a travel grant for this project, while East Carolina University provided

me with released time to prepare the manuscript. I am grateful to both institutions

for this help.

The manuscript would not have seen the light of day without the enthusiastic

support and assistance of Dr. Evelyn M. Cherpak, Director of the Naval Historical

Collection, Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. Dr. Cherpak was

instrumental in having the papers of Joseph Taussig donated to the Naval War

College by the Admiral's family.1 I am grateful to Mrs. William A. Sherman, Admiral Taussig's eldest daughter,

for providing me with information about her father and other individuals

mentioned in the diary.

Finally, I cannot overemphasize the help of Ray Ashley, a former graduate

assistant. He spent countless hours researching various ships and other topics

mentioned in the diary. He also entered an early version of the diary, including

notes, into the computer. The final draft was prepared by Mrs. Terry Duncan. To

her I owe my most heartfelt thanks.

It is only appropriate that this volume be dedicated to the memory of Captain

Paul B. Ryan, U.S. Navy (Retired), who died in 1987. Captain Ryan conceived the

idea of publishing Taussig's World War One diary. He considered it important

not only because of the scarcity of personal accounts of naval officers who fought

in that war, but also because Taussig's division of destroyers was the first to arrive

in the war zone after the United States declared war. Captain Ryan was also aware

of the enormous respect that the pre-World War II Navy had for Taussig. Ryan

xii Queenstown Patrol

himself was a junior officer in the late 1930s and wrote how fortunate he was "in

knowing [Taussig]... as a sage mentor and warmhearted friend."

Captain Ryan was not only a naval officer but also a prominent historian.

Between 1969 and 1972 he served as Deputy Director of Naval History in the Navy

Department. After retiring from the Navy, he joined the staff of the Hoover

Institution on War, Revolution and Peace at Stanford University. While there he

wrote a number of articles and collaborated with historian Thomas A. Bailey in

several books.

Captain Ryan died during the time he was editing Taussig's "Queenstown

Patrol" diary. I have made generous use of Captain Ryan's work. Many of his notes

have been incorporated into the published work and cited as "Captain Ryan's

note." His notes on interviews with Mrs. Taussig and other members of the family

have been included and appropriately credited. Silent editing was minimal, and

the editor's task was far easier thanks to Captain Ryan's dedicated work on the

diary.

William N. Still, Jr.

iN 6 APRIL 1917 the United States declared war on Germany and became a

participant in World War One. Less than a month later, on 4 May 1917, a

division of destroyers arrived in Queenstown (now Cobh), Ireland, the first

American warships to be deployed in the war zone. The destroyers were

commanded by Joseph K. Taussig, Commander, United States Navy. Taussig kept

a diary for much of his career in the Navy, including his six months in the

Queenstown patrol.

The diary is, first of all, a chronicle of the operations of the destroyers under

his authority. The USS Wadsworth> the ship directly under his command, received

most of his attention. He recounts how well the American destroyers fared in their

fight against the submarine enemy during the early months of U.S. belligerency.

He remarks on the weakness inherent in the "area patrol" tactics employed by the

British against submarines when he first arrived in Ireland. The success of

convoying as the most effective method of fighting the submarine is illustrated in

a number of entries in the diary. Also scattered throughout the diary are cryptic

remarks about the war in general, but especially the naval side of it.

Taussig comments on his activities on shore; his conferences with Admiral Sir

Lewis Bayly, in charge of antisubmarine operations in the Irish Sea and all

warships (including American) in that command; liberty and recreation; and his

impression of the Irish and Ireland. He gives us detailed pictures of everyday life

in the British Isles during wartime, an aspect of war that is sometimes neglected

by writers, such as the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, playing with his

small children; the senior U.S. naval officer's unhappiness over the habit of too

many American officers hanging out at the Yacht Club bar; Admiral William S.

Sims, in command of U.S. naval forces in European waters, drying dishes in a

British kitchen; and several clashes between Irish males and U.S. bluejackets.

Taussig at times also briefly characterizes various individuals with whom he comes

in contact. Interspersed in the diary are orders, telegrams, personal letters, and

newspaper clippings. The diary is generally well written, descriptive, and at times

absorbing. It suggests that Taussig was unusually observant, with a writing style

that was terse yet emphasized details. The diary, as with others that he maintained,

2 Queenstown Patrol

would become the basis for articles published in the United States Naval Institute

Proceedings.

Joseph Knefler Taussig was born of American parentage in 1877 in Dresden,

Germany, where his father, who also became a rear admiral in the Navy, was

stationed.4 His father was Edward David Taussig, a native of St. Louis, Missouri,

and his mother, Ellen Knefler Taussig, was a native of Louisville, Kentucky.

Taussig's father graduated from the Naval Academy in 1867 and retired in 1909,

ten years after his son completed his work at the Academy. Taussig graduated from

high school in Washington, D.C., in 1895 and was appointed to the Naval Academy

that same year. At Annapolis, young Taussig was known primarily as an all-around

athlete: he won first-place medals in the high jump, broad jump, and 200-yard

hurdles; he was a member of the crew, varsity football team, and runner-up for the

wrestling team.

During the Spanish-American War, as a naval cadet, he served on the flagship

USS New Yorki taking part in the battle of Santiago and in the bombardment of

the forts at the entrance to that harbor. In 1899 and 1900, he was on duty in the

Philippines and in China during the Boxer Rebellion. For conspicuous conduct

in battle near Tientsin, he was highly commended and advanced four numbers in

seniority. During that campaign he was seriously wounded.6 Taussig was commissioned an ensign on 28 January 1901, having completed

the two years at sea as a midshipman that was then required by law before

commissioning. Following various assignments in the Asiatic and Atlantic fleets,

Taussig was appointed to command the destroyer USS Ammen in July 1911. While

at Norfolk that year, Taussig, by then a lieutenant commander, married Miss Lulie

Johnston of that city. Three children were born of the union, Emily (1913),

Margaret Stewart (1918), and Joseph, Jr. (1920).

In April 1912 Taussig was posted to the Navy Department's Bureau of

Navigation (which controlled naval personnel until the Bureau of Personnel was

created). Three years later he was at Bath, Maine, as the prospective commanding

officer of the new destroyer Wadsworth, with additional duty as Commander,

Division Six, Destroyer Force, Atlantic Fleet. The ship was formally

commissioned at the Boston Navy Yard on 23 July 1915. In July 1916 he was

ordered to the command of Division Eight, retaining command of the Wadsworth,

which flew his pennant. On 25 May 1917 Taussig received notification of his

commission as commander, dating back to 29 August 1916.

Division Eight under Taussig's command was the first U.S. naval force sent

abroad during World War One. In November 1917 he returned home to bring the

USS Little (DD 79) into commission. In April 1918, in command of the Little, he

returned to the war zone. For five months the Little operated with U.S. naval forces

in French waters, patrolling the Bay of Biscay and convoying ships in and out of

French ports.

Introduction 3

Promoted to captain, Taussig was ordered back to the United States in August

as head of the Division of Enlisted Personnel in the Bureau of Navigation.8 While in this position he became involved in a bitter controversy with the Assistant

Secretary of the Navy, Franklin D. Roosevelt, over the latter's policy of returning

rehabilitated convicted sailors to service in the fleet. This incident undoubtedly

affected Taussig's advancement in the Navy after Roosevelt became president.9 Nevertheless, in the post-World War One years, Taussig's distinguished career

guaranteed that he would receive choice assignments. First came a year at the

Naval War College, where his performance as a student prompted his superiors to

retain him as an instructor. Then followed command of the USS Great Northern

(AG-9) and USS Cleveland (C-19) as well as a tour as Assistant Chief of Staff, U.S.

Fleet. In 1923 he returned to the Naval War College as a member of the faculty.

During the next ten years, Taussig commanded a cruiserthe USS Trenton

(CL-11) and a battleshipthe USS Maryland (BB-46) and served as Chief of Staff

to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet. In 1932 he was promoted to the rank of

rear admiral and ordered to the Navy Department as Assistant Chief of Naval

Operations, a post comparable today to that of Vice Chief.

Taussig served as Assistant Chief under Admiral William H. Standley, Chief

of Naval Operations (CNO), from May 1933 until June 1936. It was widely believed

in the Navy that Taussig was being groomed for CNO, but the coming to power of

Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 ended this possibility. Taussig later wrote, "When

I returned to Washington on duty as Assistant Chief of Naval Operations in 1933,

Mr. [Louis] Howe informed the Secretary of the Navy that I was persona non grata

with the President and requested that I not be allowed to remain on duty in

Washington. This did not satisfy the Secretary or me, so I personally put it up to

the President as to whether or not I was persona non grata and he said everything

was all right." Nonetheless, Taussig did not receive a high command.

His final years at sea began in 1936 when he became commander of Battleship

Division Three (USS Mississippi, USS New Mexico, and USS Idaho). A year later he

raised his flag on the USS Chicago as Commander, Cruisers, Scouting Force. In

May 1938 he became Commandant, Fifth Naval District, Norfolk, Virginia, and

Commander, Naval Operating Base, Norfolk. While in this command Taussig

became embroiled in a controversy that resurrected his differences with Roosevelt.

In April 1940, Senator David Walsh requested the Admiral to testify before the

Senate Naval Affairs Committee concerning expansion of the fleet. Taussig, who

had received permission from Admiral Harold Stark, Chief of Naval Operations,

spoke bluntly of the inevitability of war with Japan, that it would be primarily a

naval war, hence the need to significantly expand the Navy. His remarks made

headlines; even The New York Times carried the story on page 1. Although Taussig

had informed the committee that he was speaking for himself, his testimony

angered Admiral Stark, Secretary of State Cordell Hull, and of course, Roosevelt.

4 Queenstown Patrol

The president, in a telephone conversation with the CNO, said that "he was a little

tired of Joe anyway because he had been saying a lot of loose things all around for

the last two or three years" and wanted him relieved of his command. Stark,

however, was able to convince Roosevelt that it would not be wise; instead, Taussig

received an official letter of reprimand.

Taussig, who insisted to a close relative that "a reprimand of this nature does

me no harm whatever,** was more than likely correct if for no other reason than

he would reach the mandatory retirement age of sixty-four the following year.13 He retired on 1 September 1941. On 22 October 1941 he was advanced to the rank

of vice admiral and would have remained retired from the Navy except for U.S.

entry into World War Two.

Taussig returned to duty in 1943 and was assigned to the Procurement and

Review Board, the Naval Clemency and Prison Inspection Board, and the Naval

Discipline Policy Review Board. He continued active duty with the Office of the

Secretary of the Navy until mid-1947. In ill health, he retired a second time, and

he died on 29 October 1947.

Taussig has been described as "outspoken," "blunt," "gutty," "caustic," and "a

fighter." The columnist David Lawrence compared him to General Billy Mitchell.

Yet his son characterized him as calm and rational. "My father was a very gentle

person," Joseph Taussig said. "He never raised his voice. He never used foul

language." He was a "wonderfully immoderate moderate personality." He was

not an intellectual, according to his eldest daughter Emily, but practical and very

sharp. Captain E.R.G.R. Evans (later Admiral Lord Mountevans), a famous British

naval officer who was assigned as liaison with Taussig's destroyers, wrote in his

book Keeping the Seas that "Taussig was full of brains and go, and I was very much

impressed with him." Rear Admiral Frederic S. Withington believed that Taussig

"had the best mind among the senior officers" in the pre-World War Two Navy,

"and he was sorely missed when the war came upon us." Taussig may not have

been "academically oriented," but he knew the Navy. He was a keen analyst of

naval matters, writing some forty-five articles for the U.S. Naval Institute

Proceedings between 1922 and 1947.

Although his exploits in World War One made him a well-known figure, it was

Vice Admiral Taussig's exceptional ability as a naval officer that earned him the

respect of the Navy between the wars. As Captain Ryan wrote, "he was a splendid

example for the junior officers of his fleet commands."

The First Month

FridayApril 6, 1917

USS WadsworthBase 2York River, Virginia

At 7:00 p.m. today, the Pennsylvania,16 flagship of the Atlantic Fleet, sent thefollowing signal to all vessels present at Base 2 (York River, Va.):

Mobilize for war in accordance with department confidential mobilization plan ofMarch 21. Particular attention invited paragraphs 6 and 8.17

This signal, of course, was the announcement to the Fleet that war had beendeclared It has looked for a long time as if it would be impossible for the UnitedStates to refrain from taking part in the war so long as Germany insisted oncarrying out her policy ofunrestrained submarine warfare. So it was not surprisingto the larger part of the personnel of the Fleet that the declaration has at last beenmade. In fact, the Fleet has been on a war footing, more or less, ever sincediplomatic relations were severed in February. While in Cuban waters duringFebruary and March, the Fleet was guarded by destroyer pickets and patrols, andby picket launches. All movements were made in screen formation, and the Fleetcame north by an untraveled route with a destroyer screen, and ships darkened atnight.

The present base, inside the York River, is protected by a net screen across theriver, picket launches on duty, and by the Baltimore18 and two destroyers guardingthe gate through the net.

6 Queenstown Patrol

Some of the officers have their wives at Yorktown or Gloucester Point, but theaccommodations are very poor and there are not sufficient rooms to go round. Ifeel fortunate in having the base so near Norfolk where Lulie and Emily19 are nowliving with Lulie's mother and father. Ifl am not able to see them often, at least Iwill be able to see them now and then, which will be a great comfort.

We are now wondering what the future has in store for us-how will weoperate-and will the fleet take any real active part in the war? It is the generalimpression that the fleet will remain at home and that cruisers and destroyers willpatrol the coast.

At present I am in command of the destroyer Wadsworth20 and Division Eight,Destroyer Force, Atlantic Fleet. The other vessels of the division and theircommanding officers are: 21

Conyngham22

Porter24

Tucker26Wf' ht28wamwng.Jacob Jones30

23Lt. Comdr. A.W. JohnsonLt. Comdr. W.K. Wortman25

27Lt. Comdr. B.B. WygantLt. Comdr. F.H. Potee~9Lt. Comdr. D.W. Baglef1

The vessels are 315 feet long overall and have a 30-foot beam. They carry four4-inch 50--caliber guns and four twin twenty-one-inch torpedo tubes. Thetorpedoes have a range of 10,000 yards.32

My officers on the Wadsworth are:33

Lieutenant J.H. EversonLieut. a.G.) E.W. BroadbentLieut. a.G.) J.H. FalgeEnsign N.P. Earle

SaturdayApril 14 [1917]New York

During the past week the Wadsworth has been employed as mail vessel for theFleet at Base 2. Our general schedule has been to leave York River at 2 p.m., arriveHampton Roads at 4 p.m. Leave Hampton Roads the following morning at 9:20a.m., arrive York River at 11:30 a.m. I was very glad to have this detail, because itgave me the opportunity of seeing Lulie and Emily every night, and it was muchbetter to keep going than to swing around an anchor offYorktown. In making the

The First Month 7

mail trip, the Wadsworth carried passengers to and from the Fleet. At differenttimes we had on board Admiral Mayo, Captain Rodman, Captain Niblack,Commander D.P. Jackson, Lt. Commander Hyland, Lieut. J.B. Glennon(returning from a five-day honeymoon), several [of the] reserve officers who werejoining the fleet daily, and many others. It was very interesting to have thesepassengers on board and their presence gave some color to an otherwisemonotonous routine.34

One night Lulie came to Old Point and we stayed at the Chamberlin. It is alwaysnice to spend a night at this hotel. Lulie and I spent the frrst night of ourhoneymoon at this hostelry.

The other night I went to Norfolk, which had the advantage of my being ableto see Empsie Pemsie. I usually arrived at 502 Pembroke Ave. about her bedtime,and we had a session with"Mother Goose" before she went to sleep and Lulie andI went down to supper.35

Last night at this time I was in Norfolk. Tonight I am writing in New York.The transition was very swift and very unexpected.

Lulie and I were booted and spurred for the Easter German.36 We [had] justopened the door at 9:30 p.m. to get in the auto when the telephone bell rang.Somebody on long distance wanted to talk to Captain Taussig. I went to the phoneand found Falge on the other end of the line at Old Point. He said, "Captain, thisis Falge; I have bad news for you. We have just received orders to leave at daylightfor New York to fit out for long and distant service. I think we are going abroad."It came like a thunderbolt to me and I must admit that the thought ofseeing activeservice at the front did not prevent me from being very unhappy about leaving myfamily.

I told Falge to have a boat at the landing for me at 11:15 and I went upstairs tochange my clothes and pack my bag. In the meantime, Roben and Abbie, Warrenand Emily37 were waiting to go to the [Easter] German, but they insisted that theauto take me to Main and Granby Streets where I told Lulie good-bye and boardedthe 10 p.m. express for Old Point.

On arriving aboard my ship my orders were awaiting. They were brought downfrom the Fleet by theJacob Jones, the vessel that was to relieve the Wadsworth ofher duties in connection with the mail.38

I copy the orders below:

In reply refer to

No. M-Sl-30Destroyer Force Atlantic FleetU.S.S. Seanle,39 Flagship13 April 1917

3. Further instructions will be forwarded later.

8 Queenstown Patrol

ConfidentialFrom: Commander Destroyer Force

To: Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Wadsworth

Subject: Movement Orders

1. The Wadsworth is hereby relieved of her present duties in connection with mail.Proceed at daylight 14 April 1917 to Navy Yard, New York. Dock and expedite allnecessary preparations for special service.

2. The Davis,40 Conyngham,McDougaI,41 and Wainwright are expected to join you atCape Henry and to proceed on the same duty.

Albert Gleaves42

These orders, requiring me to leave at daylight, could only mean that I wasexpected to arrive at New York before dark. Otherwise I could have left at any timeduring the day and been at the Navy Yard early the following morning. So at 5:30

a.m. the Wadsworth was underway. We left ashore fifteen men of the crew who werenot due back from liberty until 8 o'clock.

Near Cape Charles lightship we joined company with the Conyngham, Davis,McDougal, and Wainwright. By running from 26 to 28 knots, we arrived at the NewYork Navy Yard at 6 p.m. It was Saturday night, and of course nobody paid any

attention to us. So, just as I supposed, the great emergency requiring us to sail atdaylight was no emergency at all, and it would have been much better had I beengiven some discretion in the matter and allowed to remain in Hampton Roadsuntil my liberty men returned. But it is the way we have in the Navy. Somebodysomewhere is generally prone to "fly off the handle.,,43

The censorship rules in force at the Navy Yard, New York, are very strict and

have resulted in all the telephone pay stations being removed. Consequently I wasunable to fmd a phone where I could call up Charles44 and Mother and Father45

to let them know that I was in New York. Some of the Captains and some of myofficers went ashore. Falge of course went to his home where he will see hisdaughter for the flISt time, she having been born while we were in Cuba this winter.

I am ready for bed.I will have to wait until I fmd out tomorrow how long we will probably be here,

before I decide what to do about having Lulie come on. I suppose we will be hereseveral days and am guessing that it will be at least a week. But this life in the Navy

is most generally usually mighty uncertain, so it does not pay for one to make hisplans too far in advance; unless such plans are made for amusement only.

The First Month 9

Sunday

April 15 [1917]New York

More than one person seems to be engaged in the "fly off the handle business"so far as this little bunch ofdestroyers is concerned. This morning I called on theCommandant, Admiral Usher.46 He said authority had come from Washington to

dock the McDougal and Davis, but that no word had come about the other fourdestroyers [Conyngham, Wainwright, Wadsworth, and Porter]. So the followingprocedures took place:

1. Admiral Usher called up Operations on long-distance phone and receivedauthority to go ahead and dock the other four of us.

2. I made arrangements with the Industrial Manager (Admiral Burd)47 andConstructor [George H.] Rock to dock four of us together in the big dry docktomorrow morning.

3. I telegraphed Lulie to come to New York.4. Operations called up Admiral Usher and directed that the Wadsworth,

Conyngham, and Wainwright proceed to Boston immediately as it never wasintended that they go to New York.

5. Admiral Usher informs me that we must leave immediately.6. I get permission to call up Operations on long-distance telephone. Talk with

Captain V.O. Chase and inform him that arrangements had been to dock us,engines were disabled, that many men were ashore on liberty and that we wouldnot be able to leave until next morning. I requested to be allowed to remain inNew York in order to save time as two days would be lost by going to Boston.

Was informed that we must go to Boston and that it would be all right to sailtomorrow morning.

7. Telegraphed Lulie to come to Boston.8. Informed Admiral Usher that Operations said O.K. to our sailing tomorrow.

There certainly is a lack of communications somewhere. But what can weexpect? Our Navy Department is absolutely unorganized so far as its duty inconnection with carrying on a war is concerned. Evidently things are very muchupset at headquarters. Perhaps someday we will have a real General Staff, but untilthat day comes we must continue to expect to be buffeted around in all manner ofways.48

Henry Johnston is an Assistant Paymaster in the Naval Reserve and is on duty

in the supply office at the Navy Yard. He took lunch with me today and is veryenthusiastic over his detail. I think he deserves much credit for giving up his much

more lucrative position with W.R. Craig & Co. in order to serve his country in this

10 Queenstown Patrol

manner. It is hoped that Mr. Craig will make up the difference in pay. Katherineand Dickson are in Norfolk on their annual Easter visit. Lulie and I would haveoccupied their apartment had the Wadsworth not been ordered to proceed toBoston.49

This afternoon I boarded the train at Grand Central Station and went toBronxville where Mother and Father are staying at the Gramaton Hotel. Foundquite a family gathering there, for in addition to Mother, Father, and Charles,there were Aunts Clara, Emma, Amanda, and Nan [cousin in St. Louis]. The threeAunts had come east to attend Marianna's and Graus' [cousins of Taussig]weddings, and were taking the opportunity for having a spree in New York. Nanis attending Vassar and was down for the day. The Aunts and Nan left beforesupper, so Mother, Father, Charles and I had a happy time together until time forme to catch the train back to New York. Charles went as far as the Grand CentralStation where we separated, each to go his own way.50

It is now midnight and I must go to bed as the ship will leave at 7:30 a.m. andthere will be much piloting to do tomorrow passing through Hell Gate, LongIsland Sound, Buzzards Bay, the Cape Cod Canal, and Boston Harbor. We willhave to make high speed in order to arrive at Boston before dark. I find that theConyngham decided to start for Boston this afternoon, so the Wainwright andWadsworth will go up together. If it were not for liberty men ashore I would startat 5:30 instead of7:30.

TuesdayApril 17 [1917]Boston

The Wadsworth and Wainwright left New York at 7:30 a.m. yesterday, Monday.After clearing Executive Rocks we steamed at 27 knots until noon and then at 28knots. Passed through Cape Cod Canal, this being the sixth time the Wadsworthhas made the passage. Many of the navigational marks had been carried away byice during the winter and not yet replaced, so I took a pilot.

Arrived Boston at 6:30 p.m. Just had time to shave and sit down to dinner whenEverson, Falge, and I proceeded to South Station to meet our wives who left NewYork on the 3 o'clock train. The train was about three-quarters of an hour latereaching Boston. We waited impatiently and, finally, when the train pulled in, metthe three ladies on the platform.

Lulie was very tired having had a hard trip on the New York, Philadelphia &Norfolk Railroad from Norfolk to New York the night before. She went to theTouraine.Sl

The First Month 11

I have received very indefinite instructions from the Navy Department inregard to the duty to be performed by the division of destroyers. The Captainsassembled and decided on what they thought was necessary for placing theirships in the best condition for any and every service that might be required.The Navy Yard authorities decided that it would take ten days to do the work.The Chief of Operations (Admiral [William S.] Benson)52 called up theCommandant on long-distance telephone and told him the destroyers must beready to leave immediately on receipt oforders, but did not say when the orderswere coming. So I requested to talk with Admiral Benson over the phone. Inthe meantime I went to the ship for luncheon. All the wives except Mrs.Broadbent were there. I was not in much humor for a party. Did not get to talkto Admiral Benson today.

The principal things being done on the Wadsworth are docking, Benet-Mercierguns installed, having lookout tops and deck ammunition bins installed, andhaving our radio motor generators moved from crew living spaces to one of thethree firerooms. This latter change gives us berthing space for three more men anddoes away with the annoyance to officers and men every time the radio is used.53

We are taking steps to get good outfits of rain clothes and boots for the crew.Have also made a requisition for 50 lamb's wool-lined coats. The Navy League islooking out for us in matters concerning knitted goods, such as sweaters, socks,mumers, etc.54 We are taking on board extra stores and provisions to our capacity.Also extra ammunitions. Everybody is hustling to get the ship in all respects readyfor long and arduous distant service. It is a strange thing to me that the Departmentdoes not send for me to come to Washington and take me in their confidence sothat we can intelligently go about getting ready for this business. Instead of thatthere are all kinds of long-distance telephone calls, the gist ofwhich undoubtedlyleaks out in many ways, with the result that the show of secrecy is more or less afarce. If I had been sent for and the situation explained, there would be none ofthe uncertainty as to what was to be done on my part, or as [to] when we would beready to sail on the Department's part. Our doctrine in the flotilla teaches us thatin order to carry out instructions intelligently the commanding officer shouldknow the reason for the issuing of such instructions. But doctrine has no weightwith the Department, which appears to go along with its eyes only half open.

I wrote a personal letter to the Chief of Bureau of Navigation (Rear AdmiralLeigh Palmer) asking him about a change of the "rookies" recently sent with menofexperience, and asking him to get my commission through ifpossible before wesailed.55 My commission as a Commander is to date from Aug. 29, 1916, and I havenot received it yet.

12 Queenstown Patrol

FridayApril 20 [1917]Boston

Today I talked with Admiral Benson over the long-distance telephone. Theresult ofthe conversation was very unsatisfactory from my point ofview. He wouldnot name a date on which we must be ready, but said we must sail immediately onreceipt of orders and that we must be ready for any contingency. In other wordsget ready, but do not take any time about it. He said that everything we neededwould be attended to in Washington. Of course, after 22 years of naval service Iknow better than that. I told him that the Navy Yard estimated 10 days work, butthat I would cut it down to seven days. And that was about all there was to it. Ihave been trying to reason out why we were sent to the Navy Yard ifit was not tohave work done. Otherwise we could have left direct from the Fleet and could nowhave been halfway across the ocean. I think they are pretty much up in the air inWashington.

I informed the Commandant that we would sail on the 25th and he sent thatdate to Washington.

It is nice that Lulie can be here at this time, but I am sorry that it isimpracticable for Emily to be here also. That litde rascal was sound asleep whenI left home a week ago today. I wonder when I will see her again.

The ships have been going ahead with the fitting-out preparations.Lulie and I have not been very gay. Have seen something ofthe AlfredJohnsons

who are staying at the Touraine, and had dinner with them once.56 One night wewent to the theater and saw "A Tailor Made Man." It is an exceptionally goodfarce, and exceptionally well acted.

MondayApril 23 [1917]Boston

The only new development until this morning was a telegram yesterday fromthe Commandant in Operations (stricdy secret and confidential) as follows:

Direct officer No. 324 a.K. Taussig) Special Service

Division of destroyers be ready to sail immediately urgent. Report as soon as readydestination English Channel.

To this I sent the following reply:

The First Month 13

Will be ready to sail April 25th unless delayed by installation office machines and ofwrecking mines both of which were ordered by Department and not requested byme. Have not received pay accounts.57

All ships refueled and took on fresh provisions so as to be ready to sail in casethe Department should order us out before we were really ready. I would not besurprised ifthis were done) as it would seem that the whole result ofthis war, whichhas been going on for nearly three years, depends on whether or not six littledestroyers sail from Boston for the English Channel on a certain indefinite dateknown to no one-not even those who are issuing the orders. Can you beat it!

Commander [Frank H.] Schofield called up from Operations yesterdayafternoon when I was not on board. He talked to Falge and I am glad I was notthere as perhaps I would have said things I might be sorry for. The conversationwas unsatisfactory as such conversations usually are; Commander Schofield saidsomething about "No excuses would be accepted" if we did not sail when orderswere received, which implied that the Department considers that we are stalling.I consider the remark nothing else than insulting.

Everson is fortunate in that his wife's home is at Wakefield, close to Boston.He gets home every night. Broadbent's wife is living in New Bedford, which isclose enough for him to get to frequently. Mrs. Falge is here in Boston until theship sails, and Doctor and Mrs. Earle have come from Des Plaines, Ill., to see Earlebefore we take our departure. Dr. Earle is very enthusiastic about everything inthe Navy and wishes he could enlist! He says he must get in the service some way.It is too bad that he is not younger so that the country could make use of hisenthusiasm. One morning I found Dr. Earle on board for breakfast. He arose at6:30 a.m. in order to have this meal on board. He said he had tried our lunchesand dinners and did not want to miss anything, so he came for breakfast.

Friday evening Lulie and I had dinner at the Thorndike Grill as guests of theEversons. Saturday the Eversons took us for an automobile ride as far asMarblehead Neck and Salem. We had a hard time finding a suitable place to lunchand finally wound up at a cheap restaurant in Salem at about three o'clock in theafternoon.

This morning Lieutenant GradyS8 arrived on board for passage to England via

one of the destroyers. I assigned him to the Porter as the Conyngham is to have adoctor and the Wadsworth a paymaster. Grady had instructions to tell meconfidentially that there would probably not be any further orders for me, but thatwhen the ships were ready for sea we should proceed and then would get ordersby radio. This does not look like a good method ofdoing things, and I do not thinkit will turn out that way. Telegraphed the Department that Special ServiceDivision would sail 5 p.m. tomorrow.

14 Queenstown Patrol

TuesdayApril 24 [1917]At Sea

This morning when I returned on board ship I found Lieutenant [Mark L.]Hersey from the ChiefofOperations office on board with a number ofconfidentialsignal books for use with the British and French navies. He was to deliver themto me in person and when I signed the receipt his duty was completed. LaterLieutenant Commander [William W.] Galbraith appeared; he was routed out fromdinner last night in Washington and just had time to catch the Federal Expressfor Boston. He brought my written orders. It is apparent to me that theDepartment did not know until yesterday what our destination was to be, and thateven if the ships had been ready sooner we would not have sailed until today.59My announcement that we would sail on the 24th instead of the 25th ascontemplated required some quick work in getting our orders to us.

The orders issued are as follows:

In reply refer to No.Op"lO

Navy Department

Office of Naval Operations

Washington

To: Commander, Eight Division, Destroyer Force

Atlantic Fleet, U.S.S. Wadsworth, Flagship.

Subject: Orders.

1. Upon the receipt of the envelope containing sealed orders forwarded herewith,and when your force is in all respects ready for sea, proceed to a position fifty (50)miles east (true) from Cape Cod, Mass., break the seal and carry out the orders

enclosed therein.V.O.ChaseActing

The sealed envelope was delivered to me by Galbraith and I gave him a receipt.Although I was informed that the force must proceed to sea immediately on

receipt of the orders, still I notice that the orders have the qualifying clause "whenxxx60 in all respects ready for sea. I wonder what would happen if I shouldconsider the force not in all respects ready and so inform the Department.

The First Month 15

The McDougal and Davis arrived from New York this morning.61 The forcespent the day in filling with fuel oil to capacity and in taking on fresh provisionsand stores that were arriving at the last minute. We left our ice machines on thedock as their installation would delay us, and we sailed without our target practiceammunition, wrecking mines, and pay accounts. Some of our lamb's wool-linedjackets did not arrive either, but what I regret most is the non-arrival of a largebox of laundry which has been following us from Norfolk.

Lulie, Dr. and Mrs. Earle, Mrs. Everson and Mrs. Falge were on board forluncheon. I then went to see the Commandant and Captain [Richard H.] Jacksonon the Virginia62 to inform them officially that we were sailing at five o'clock andto tell them good-bye.

At 4:45 p.m. the Davis shoved off followed by the McDougal, Wainwright,Conyngham, Wadsworth, and Porter. Lulie and Mrs. Johnson were still on the dockwhen we disappeared down the Bay. I think they were very brave to remain tosee the last of us. I know they did not intend to do it, but suppose they just did[it] anyway.

It is a beautiful night. The sea is smooth and we are steaming along at 14 knots.The formation is in column. It will be after midnight before I can open my sealedorders. In the meantime we are headed for a point 50 miles east (true) ofCape Cod.

I always have the blues when I leave home for a trip, but I feel more that waytonight than usual. There is no telling when I will see my family again or what isin store for us. Then it still sticks that the Department did not treat us right.Instead ofnagging us and not giving us any information, I feel sure that the properprocedure in this case would have been for me to be ordered to Washington andget the situation explained to me confidentially. I feel that the Department kickedus out rather discourteously instead ofsaying to us: "You fellows are up against atough proposition. The Department knows that you will do your best and wishesyou success. Good-bye and good luck." Ifwe had been treated that way I would bein a much better frame of mind tonight.

WednesdayApril 25 [1917]At sea

At 12:05 a.m. today I opened my sealed orders. Following is a copy:

Op-lO

Navy Department

Office of NavaJ Operations

Washington

16 Queenstown Patrol

Secret and Confidential

To: Commander, Eighth Division, Destroyer Force,Atlantic Fleet, U.S.S. Wadsworth, Flagship.

Subject: Protection ofCommerce near the coast ofGreat

Britain and France.

1. The British Admiralty have requested the cooperation of a division ofAmerican destroyers in the protection of commerce near the coasts of GreatBritain and France.

2. Your mission is to assist naval operations of Entente Powers in every waypossible.

3. Proceed to Queenstown,63 Ireland. Report to Senior British Naval Officerpresent, and thereaftercooperate fully with the British Navy. Should it be decidedthat your force act in cooperation with French Naval Forces your mission andmethod ofcooperating under French Admiralty authority remain unchanged.

Route to Queenstown.Boston to Latitude SO N.-Long. 20 W. to arrive at daybreak thence to LatitudeSO N.-Long. 12 W., thence to Queenstown. When within radiocommunication ofthe British Naval Forces ofIIreland, call "GCK" and informthe Vice Admiral at Queenstown in British General Code of your position,course and speed. You will be met outside ofQueenstown.

4. Base facilities will be furnished by the British Admiralty.

5. Communicate your orders and operations to Rear Admiral Sims64 atLondon and be guided by such instructions as he may give you. Make noreports ofarrival to Navy Department direct.

Josephus Daniels65

Copy to: C. in C. Atlantic FleetComdr. Destr. ForceC.O. Each Vessel ofDivision.

WednesdayApri125 (1917]At sea

I decided to follow generally the east-bound steamer route for this time ofyear.Of course when Lat. 50 N-Long. 20 W. is reached the instructions given in the

The First Month 17

orders will be followed We have heard much about submarines operating all over theAtlantic, we are always on the lookout for them. Just before sailing, I issued an orderto the Division as to procedures in case a submarine is sighted The order follows:

#3-11Special Service Division, Destroyer Force

U.S.S. Wadsworth, Flagship24 April 1917

From: Commander Special Service Division

To: Special Service Division

Subject: Procedures in case of sighting enemy submarine and in case of damage tovessel of this force by mine or torpedo.

1. Ifsubmarine is sighted, the vessel sighting it will make six toots on the whistle (ingroups of two), open fire and head for the submarine. The next destroyer astern willhead in the direction of the submarine on parallel course to the other and assist in

the attack. Other vessels will continue on course keeping a lookout for othersubmarines. Use radio as per C-in-C printed instructions.

2. In case a destroyer of this force is torpedoed or strikes a mine, other vessels willnot stop but will continue on course and make circle ofwide radius around damaged

vessels until other procedures become desirable. Vessels passing close to a disabledvessel will throw life preservers if it appears advisable.

1.K. Taussig

We have heard submarines often work in pairs so it is necessary that rescue workbe done continuously or there will be a probability ofanother ship getting torpedoed.

My intention now is to steam in column during the dark hours and in columnof sections during the daylight hours. When weather is good will steam at 14 or

IS knots unless the fuel oil reports show that a slower speed is desirable.66 Theweather today has been good, the sea smooth. It was necessary to slow down andstop for three hours in order that the Conyngham examine her circulating pump,which developed a knock.

ThursdayMay 3 [1917]At sea

The past week has been a most uncomfortable one. For six days we traveledeastward with half a gale, the wind blowing steadily from SSE, giving us a rough

18 Queenstown Patrol

sea on our starboard beam. We have been steaming at 12 knots, which was sufficientfor the state of the sea, and we have been rolling so much that the mess table has notbeen set up since April 25th. We have been holding our plates in our laps.

On April 30 we had to stop for three-and-a-half hours while the Wainwrightopened her main condenser and located and stopped a leak. We had to do the samething again this morning. This makes a total of10 hours that we have been delayedon account ofnecessary repairs. It might have been much worse. And the weathermight have been much worse also, for if the wind and the rain had come fromahead instead of from abeam, we would have had a much more miserable anduncomfortable time, and we would have had to slow down materially.

We sighted several steamers which undoubtedly will report us sooner or later.One ship stopped and I thought it possible that she might be a German raider, sohoisted the signal for general quarters.

Day before yesterday while it was quite hazy, the bigAdriatic of the White Starline hove in sight quite close. She staned to run away, but when we hoisted ourcolors, she resumed her course and dipped her colors in salute as she passed.67

Yesterday we were in radio communication with H.M.S. Parthian,68 whichship evidently had been sent out to meet us. We exchanged several messagesin regard to position, course and speed, using a special code provided for thepurpose. The Parthian failed to find us before dark so he sent a message thathe would steam same course and speed during night and pick us up at daybreak.But it was hazy and the visibility poor so she failed to find us. Then we stoppedfor the Wainwright to repair [the] condenser. I sent thePorter, Conyngham, [and]McDougal out five miles to try to find the Parthian, but they wereunsuccessfu1.69 Later in the day as we were proceeding, the British destroyerMary Rose70 fell in with us and remained with us as escort. She hoisted theinternational signal "Welcome to the American colors" and the Wadsworthanswered: "Thank you, I am glad of your company.,,71

The sea is now smooth and we are proceeding at 15 knots. We should arrive atQueenstown tomorrow afternoon. I have been wondering if it is generally knownthere that a division ofAmerican destroyers is en route.72

SundayMay 6 [1917]Queenstown

My time has been so occupied during the past three days it has been impossiblefor me until now to record the events. I call them events because it seems that theauthorities and people are making considerable fuss over our arrival.

The First Month 19

To begin with we had a beautiful day on the 4th-the day of our arrival atQueenstown. The Mary Rose continued with us and led us by the Daunt Rocklightship where a tug with the official photographer sent from London tookmoving pictures ofthe division as we passed. Then we stopped just outside Roche'sPoint, and a British naval officer went on board each destroyer to pilot us to ourberths. Lt. Commander [Thomas H.] Robinson, R.N., was my pilot. With himcame Commander E.RG.R Evans, C.B. RN.,73 Captain of the British destroyerleaderBroke,74 who has been assigned by the Admiralty to duty in connection withthe American destroyers; Lt. Commander J.W. Babcock, USN (Admiral Sims'Aide), Paymaster E.C. Tobey, USN,75 who is over here on special duty, and theAmerican Vice Consul, Mr. Sherman.76 Babcock and Tobeyare old friends ofmineand of course I was mighty glad to see them. Commander Evans is the hero of arecent destroyer engagement in the English Channel where his ship torpedoed twoGerman destroyers and rammed and sank another in a night engagement. Hehanded me a letter from Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, K.C.B.,77 the First Sea Lord ofthe Admiralty, and until recently the Commander-in-Chief of the British GrandFleet. Admiral Jellicoe and I served together in the Seymour column in Chinaduring the Boxer uprising in 1900, and both ofus were wounded at the same time.He took the trouble to write me the letter in his own hand so I quote it in itsentirety:

Admiralty Whitehall1-5-17

[1 May 1917]

My dear Taussig.

I still retain very pleasant and vivid recollection ofour associations in China andI am indeed delighted that you should have been selected for the command of thefirst force which is coming to fight for freedom, humanity, and civilization: we shallall have our work cut out to subdue piracy. My experience in China makes me feelperfectly convinced that the two nations will work in the closest cooperation and Iwon't flatter you by saying too much about the value of your help. I must say thishowever, there is no navy in the world that can possibly give us more valuableassistance, and there is no personnel in any navy that will fight better than yours.My China experience tells me this.

Ifonly my dear friend McCalla could have seen this day, how glad I would havebeen.

I must offer you and all your officers and men the warmest welcome possible inthe name of the British Nation and British Admiralty, and add to it every possiblegood wish from myself. May every good fortune attend you and speedy victory bewith us.

Yours very sincerely,J.R. Jellicoe

20 Queenstown Patrol

We proceeded up the harbor, 1,000 yards apart. On the shore were many peoplewaving, and as we passed Dog's Nose I heard cheers from the Army people on theport.78 The Wadsworth and Conyngham moored to the oiling jetty, and the othersmoored in pairs to buoy off the town. We commenced oiling immediately. Lt.Commander [Kenneth B.M.] Churchill, R.N., ofVice Admiral [Sir Lewis] Bayly'sstaffcame on board and placed the barge at our disposal. Captain [Ernest E.] Lacy,R.N., came on board to offer his services. He is in charge of Haulbowline dockyard. The Flag Captain, Captain [C.D.) Carpendale, also called on board. In themeantime I had sent a signal to all the division for Captains to report on board assoon as practicable prepared to go ashore to make official calls and to have picturestaken. In the meantime I glanced through a letter ofwelcome from Rear AdmiralSims. He had expected to meet us here but was called to Paris on a special mission.A note from Vice Admiral Sir Lewis Bayly, K.C.B., who is in command of the coastof Ireland and under whose orders we are to operate, was handed me. It is asfollows:

Admiralty House

Queenstown

3.4.17[3 April 1917f9

Dear Lieut. Comdr. Taussig

I hope that you and the other fine officers in command of the U.S. destroyers in

your flotilla will come and dine here tonight, Friday, at 7:45 and that you and three

others will remain to sleep here so as to get a good rest after your long journey. Allow

me to welcome you and to thank you for coming.

Yours sincerely

Lewis Bayly

Dine in undress: no speeches.

I sent a signal to the Captain of the Mary Rose thanking him for escorting us toport and leading us up the harbor. He then sent the following signal:

Captain, Officers and ship's company ofH.M.S. Mary Rose are very gratified to havethe honor of being the first to meet you and your squadron.

It was halfpast three before Johnson, Wortman, Fairfield,80 R.F. Zogbaum,81and Poteet all got on board the Wadsworth. Then, piloted by Commander Evansand Lt. Comdr. Churchill, we started on our rounds ofofficial calls.

I was required to walk over the gangway alone so that the moving picture mancould take my photograph as the Commanding Officer of the first AmericanSquadron to cooperate with the Allies.82 We landed at the naval pier where theAmerican Consul, Mr. Wesley Frost, met us. There were several autos in waiting

The First Month 21

and although it was only a short distance to the consulate we rode there. The streetswere full ofcurious people and there seemed to me a great many men for a countrysupposed to be at war. 1 have learned since that the Irish people have generallyheld alooffrom any participation in the war and do not consider themselves a partyto it.83

We went to the Consulate to meet the Lord Mayor of Cork, his staff, and theleading citizens of Queenstown. They were about a dozen all told and this wastheir calIon us-it being considered better to have them come to the Consulaterather than on board ship. The Lord Mayor (Mr. Butterfield), a man of goodpresence and apparently genial temperament, made a speech ofwelcome in whichhe laid stress on the close relations between the Irish and [the] Americans. He saidthat there was not a family in Ireland that was not connected with the United Statesby blood ties. When he finished, the leading citizen of Queenstown (Mr. WalterCallan, Resident Magistrate) made a speech of welcome; and when he finished itwas up to me to make a few remarks. Speech making is not an accomplishment ofmine, but I managed to say something, and my fellow captains were kind enoughto say that what I said was all right. As we left the Consulate the movie man wason the job. I forgot to say he was also ahead ofus at the landing. However, whereverwe went that afternoon the moving picture man was ahead of us.

We proceeded to Admiralty House and reported to Vice Admiral Sir LewisBayly, K.C.B., C.V.O.84 Our stay here was not as long as necessary for us to calionthe Brigadier General commanding the military forces in this neighborhood. Soaway we went in the autos and after a ten-minute ride arrived at the general's house,which is beautifully located overlooking the harbor. General St. John85 (he callsit Sin Gin) was most cordial. He said my face was familiar to him; and both hisface and manner seemed familiar to me. I probably had met him somewhere-eitherin China or in England when I was there with the Fleet in December 1910, or atthe Coronation of King George in June 1911. He introduced us to Mrs. St. John,with whom I chatted for a few minutes, and then we were off. It was time to returnto the ships to get our clothes for the night and return to the Admiralty House fordinner. However there was time to stop at the Royal Cork Yacht Club for thosewho wished to get refreshments. It was now after 7 o'clock, so Johnson, Fairfield,Zogbaum and I, who were to stay all night at the Admiralty House, went on boardship and got our equipment. At 7:30 p.m. we assembled at the Yacht Club andproceeded to the Admiralty House. Admiral Bayly has no family. His niece, acharming young woman (I shall guess to be about age 30), keeps house for him.Her name is Miss Voysey.86 She was the only woman present at the dinner anddid the honors gracefully and attractively. I had the pleasure ofsitting on her rightand next to me was Rear Admiral H.V. Elliott, R.N. (Retired), who is in charge ofthe Coast Guard at Queenstown. The others at table besides us AmericanCommanding Officers were Comdr. Evans, the American Consul, Mr. Frost,

22 Queenstown Patrol

Captain Carpendale, Babcock and Tobey. Admiral Bayly is a prohibitionist, sothere was no wine.87 It was after nine o'clock when we got up from the dinnertable. The evening was mild and it was still daylight. So we went on the verandahand enjoyed the view.88

The Admiralty House is beautifully situated on top ofthe high hill overlookingthe harbor. When it is clear a fine view is obtained of the entire bay and far out tosea. The Admiral's offices are in the basement, in a wing of the house, and in anoutbuilding. They are extensive, and the staff is busy, as there is an immenseamount of detail work in connection with the patrol of the coast and the steamship approaches. But in the residence part ofthe house all seemed quiet and serene,the only evidence of business being the frequent entry of a noiseless messengerwho handed a wireless telegram to the Admiral and departed. There is a signalstation close by with tower, which overlooks all the shipping, and it is from herethat signals are sent to and received from the men-of-war. The Admiralty groundsare extensive. Miss Voysey and Admiral Bayly showed us around. The air wasvery sweet with flowers in bloom and birds singing. They say the spring is late thisyear, but things here are much further advanced than they were in Boston whenwe left there. There are many fruit trees just beginning to blossom and the potatoesand other vegetable plants are well out of the ground. One part of the grounds isput aside for the use of Commanding Officers and their families.89 Not many ofthem have families here, and I regret that mine is not here so I could see them. Itwas hard to realize that we had completed an uncomfortable ten-day trip acrossthe ocean and were suddenly transplanted to this peaceful place. It seemed like adream.

It was 11:30 p.m. before we retired. I had a large front room overlooking theharbor. The moon was shining brightly and I could see far out to sea where thered light of the Daunt Rock lightship was flashing. We had come up through thechannel there, and only the previous night the German submarines had plantedten mines only six feet from the surface. This was the first time that mines hadbeen found so near to the surface although hundreds of them have been swept upby the mine-sweepers, which are continually at it day and night. The sweeperspicked up these mines before we arrived so we were probably saved from anaccident at the very beginning. There is no doubt but that the Germans knew wewere coming to Queenstown and the approximate time of our arrival in spite ofthe great show of secrecy made by the Navy Department.9O

I found that the valet had laid out my pajamas and turned the bed clothes down.He asked me at what time I wished to be called and would I have tea or coffee anda hot bath or a cold bath. I told him 8 o'clock, coffee, hot bath, and soon afterwardswas luxuriating in the big double bed.

I was awake before 8 o'clock [Saturday,S May 1917], but coffee was brought inat the time specified. I am not used to drinking coffee before I get up in the morning

The First Month 23

but had no difficulty in accomplishing it. The thing I enjoyed most was the hottub bath. We have no bath tub on the Wadsworth-onlya shower. And I muchprefer the tub. All my clothes were laid out ready for putting on. In fact everythingwas done for me that was not absolutely necessary that I do for myself.

We had breakfast at 9 o'clock. This was served regular English style. That is,all the various dishes are on the side tables and each one helps himself and sitsdown to the table. When anything else is wanted, up you get and get it. Very muchlike our dairy lunch rooms.

At 9:30 we departed for our ships where we arrived about 10 o'clock. It seemedto me there was lots I had to do in connection with the ship and the division butthere was no time to do it. It was decided that all ships that could, should striketheir topmasts, have depth charges installed,91 and put ashore all stores, etc., thatwere not needed. We have tons ofstuff that was put in just before we left and whichwould ordinarily have been carried by the parent ship. It was pointed out to usthat we should have our draft as light as possible because a few inches might saveus from hitting a mine.

All the Commanding Officers and Commander Evans were on board theWadsworth to receive the official call ofGeneral St. John at 11:00 a.m. and that ofthe American Consul at 11:30 a.m. These calls took up the rest of the forenoon.Comdr. Evans remained for lunch, and at 1:30 we picked up the Captains andstarted for Cork in the Admiral's barge to return the call of the Lord Mayor andto calion the Major General commanding the forces ofSouthern Ireland. The rideup the river is a beautiful one and took forty minutes. Judging from the outsideappearance Ireland has not been affected in any way by the war. The country isgreen and dotted with cattle. The wharves at Cork were busy and the streets ofCork crowded. Automobiles met us and took us first to the City Hall where theLord Mayor had assembled his staff to receive our return call. This time it was upto me to open up with the speech making, but my remarks were brief. The LordMayor responded with considerably more of a speech than I made. I understandthat the Irish love speech making! Wine was brought in and the Lord Mayorproposed the health of the American Naval Officers and I proposed the health ofthe Lord Mayor and the city of Cork, after which we departed for the General'shouse. We were cordially met by Major General Beauchamp Doran,92 whocommands the Southern District, Ireland. There were about a dozen officers ofhis staff present. The General impressed me as a most affable gentleman andinsisted on coming to Queenstown the next day to return our call in person,although I told him it was not at all necessary. He said he would come at threeo'clock in the afternoon if that were convenient, and I told him it was perfectlysatisfactory, although it wasn't. I would much prefer that he had named a morninghour.

24 Queenstown Patrol

Johnson and Zogbaum returned by rail to Queenstown with the AmericanConsul, as Mrs. Frost was expecting them to tea at 4:30. The rest ofus went to thecity club where we remained about halfan hour. One of the automobiles placed atour disposal belongs to an American, Mr. Brown,93 who is the architect for the bigFord tractor plant that is to be erected on the site ofthe race course near Cork. Mr.Brown has been very nice to us and invited us to his place at anytime. Anothergentleman was a Mr. Peily,94 who, 1 understand, is a banker. These gentlemenwanted us to remain for dinner and then go to the theater. Wortman, Fairfield,and Poteet accepted, but I pleaded having too much to do, so Evans, Babcock, andI returned to Queenstown in the barge. 1 arrived on board ship just in time fordinner.

Although I felt that there were letters 1 ought to write and official paper workthat should be attended to, I was too restless to sit at my desk; so after dinner I gothold ofJohnson and we went to the Queens Hotel to call on Commander and Mrs.Evans, and Paymaster and Mrs. Tobey. We were fortunate in finding them in.Evans had just received a telegram congratulating him on his promotion to

Captain and the award of the D.S.a. He is only 36 years old and has had a variedand interesting career, which has resulted in his receiving many decorations fromvarious sources. He was second in command of the Scott Antarctic Expedition to

the South Pole, and afterwards made an extensive lecture tour in the United States.He was engaged in this when the war broke out, and he returned to Englandimmediately.9S Evans is a man of medium height, strongly built, and has a nicefrank face with a pleasingsmile. He is full of"pep" and impresses one as thoroughlyknowing his job, as having a large amount of common sense, and possessing to arare degree that most important quality ofbeing able to distinguish between whatis important and what is not important. Mrs. Evans is a Norwegian-ofthe prettytype. Blond and a good figure-she smokes cigarettes charmingly.

It was late when Johnson and I returned to our ship. I was restless during the

night-dreaming about submarines, Lord mayors, Admirals, etc.This morning-Sunday [6 May 1917]-1 wrote letters and attended to my mail

until 11 o'clock when Captain Carpendale came on board to make the ViceAdmiral's official return call. Then all Captains went to the Admiralty Housewhere Admiral Bayly gave us a talk in regard to the kind of duty we were toperform, and general advice as to how to meet certain conditions. He said insubstance that the problem before us was a serious one; that as soon as we passbeyond the defense of the harbor we face death until we return; there we must

presume that a submarine is always watching us, and that although we may go fordays without seeing a submarine or anything suspicious, we must not relax for aninstant or we might lose our opportunity to destroy a submarine, or it may give

the submarine a chance to fire a torpedo into us; the intention was to send us outfor periods ofsix days and then come in for two days rest; about once a month we

The First Month 2S

would have five days for boiler cleaning; stationary periscopes may be decoymines; do not ram them but shell them; in picking up survivors of ships sunkbeware of stopping until thoroughly convinced that no submarine is about; wemust not risk the lives of our crews in order to save a few others; the submarinesused to sail away after torpedoing a vessel, but now they usually remain in thevicinity to loot the vessels if conditions are favorable; if we see a ship struck, goafter the submarine and let the rescue work wait. Our duty is: first, to destroyenemy submarines; second, to convoy and protect shipping; third, to save lives ifwe can.96 To miss an opportunity to sink a submarine means that he [thesubmarine] remains to sink other peaceful vessels and destroy more lives; do nottry to tow large vessels; do not turn on searchlights; do not allow any lightswhatever at night, nor matches to be struck; our speed will depend on wind andsea; never make less than 13 knots; always zigzag or the submarine will plot yourposition; submarines usually get between the sun and target; if approaching atorpedoed vessel do so with the sun astern; on patrol do not patrol regularly fromone end of the line to the other, but proceed irregularly so the submarine cannotestablish the ship's position; make signals shon; do not repeat the names ofvessels; watch fishing vessels as they may be submarines in disguise; submarinesfrequently disguise themselves, using masts, and sails and funnels; if a conningtower is shot away it does not necessarily mean that the submarine is destroyed;depth charges are not always fatal; it is necessary to get close to the submarine todestroy it. There were numerous other points which I do not now recall, but whichI think made sufficient impression to be useful. Admiral Bayly is a man of fewwords and much action. He wants results and it is results which count with him.He is said to be a task master but withal quite reasonable. I think all ofus will beable to get along with him without any difficulty or friction.97

This afternoon General Doran and staff called. As soon as they left I gatheredup Wortman, Poteet, and Fairfield, and we went ashore for tea with Mrs. Frost,the American consul's wife. Mr. Frost met us at the landing and had jaunting cartsready to take us to his house. I had never before ridden in a jaunting can, and mustsay that I did not find it any too comfortable. On the way we picked up Captainand Mrs. Evans, who were walking. The tea was very nice, there being a few otherguests-among them Mr. and Mrs. Brown. Mrs. Frost has a little two-year-olddaughter who came in with a wee little dolly and showed us how the doll was putto sleep.

I was glad to get back to the ship, have dinner quietly on board, and to spendthe evening in my room. I think tomorrow I will devote to ship's work if it ispossible. I have two engagements, however. At ten o'clock the Captains, Executivesand Gunnery Officers will assemble on here and Captain Evans will tell us hisexperience while performing three years of patrol duty. In the evening all theCaptains will dine with Captain and Mrs. Evans at the Queen's Hotel. I wanted to

26 Queenstown Patrol

have Mrs. Evans come on board the Wadsworth, but at present no civilians orwomen are allowed on board. This is the rule for British ships and I am adheringto their rules.

MondayMay 7 (1917][Queenstown]

Several invitations to the various clubs have been received. The fust one, fromthe Cork Club, reads:

The Committee ofthe Cork Club hope that the Admiral and Officers ofthe AmericanFleet will consider themselves Honorary Members of the Club for the duration ofthe war.

From the Yacht Club I received the following:

Royal Cork Yacht Club-Queenstown 4th May 1917

Dear Sir:

The Committee and members of the RC.Y.C.98 will be very much honored ifLieu!. Comdr. J.K. Taussig and officers of the U.S. Destroyer Flotilla will make useof the club premises as Honorary Members during their stay in harbor.

IC you would kindly make this offer progressive as far as future visiting ships ofyour fleet are concerned I shall be much obliged. With greetings from the club.

I remain,Yours faithfully,H.B. Bruce,Secretary.

All U.S. destroyers operating on this side have been placed under command ofRear Admiral Sims. He has issued the following operation order:

U.S. Destroyer ForceEuropean waters,

29 April 1917

Operation Order No.1.

1. Enemy submarines operating against Allied commerce in increasing numbers.

The First Month 27

2. This force cooperate with, and operate under, direct command Vice AdmiralCommanding British forces based in Queenstown.

3. Keep U.S. Destroyer Force Commander informed periodically of militaryservice performed.

Eliminate all official usual routine correspondence and reports which interferein any way with efficient military service.

Give particular heed to physical condition ofpersonnel.4. In absence [of] U.S. Supply Vessels obtain necessary supplies and repairs by

direct request on British Headquarters, Queenstown, details and accounting to bearranged upon arrival U.S. Supply Officer.

5. Forward official mail via British official routes. Use U.S. Service Radio Code

for Code messages to Force Commander.

Wm. S.Sims

Rear Admiral, U.S.N.Commanding, U.S. Destroyer Force

European Waters

Original toCommander of the Des. Div.

Copies to all vessels andSecretary of Navy (Operations)Vice Admiral Commanding QueenstownFirst Sea Lord, AdmiraltyU.S. Naval Attaches, London & Paris

J.V. BabcockLt. Comdr., Aide99

Beginning at 10 a.m., Captain Evans told us his experience while on patrol, gaveus some suggestions and advice, and then told us the story of the engagementbetween the British flotilla leaders SwiftlOO and Broke on one side, and six Germandestroyers on the other side. He answered innumerable questions which were putto him by various officers, and the session continued until noon. It was a mostsatisfactory meeting.

The Division is ready for sea with the exception of the installation of the depthcharge releasing gears. This should be finished tomorrow. The operations ofplacing excess stores and equipment ashore is continuing. Those that can havetheir topmasts down, and all of us have the British battle recognition lightsinstalled.101

Sub Lieutenant Alston, R.N., has been conducting a wireless school for [U.S.]signal officers and radio operators. They meet every day for two hours and areinstructed in British methods of operations and in coding and decoding. There

28 Queenstown Patrol

are a number of codes that must be used-as it is essential in order to maintaintheir integrity that different codes be used for the merchant vessels, auxiliarypatrol vessels, patrol vessels, and vessels of the Fleet. Then there is the code foruse between British and American men-of-war, and the Anglo-French-Russiancode. It sounds like a lot and it is a lot, but I have no doubt that after a week ortwo it will all be simple to those whose duty it is to perform this duty.

Last night or yesterday afternoon the Lavender,102 one of the sloops, wastorpedoed. The Captain, one officer, and about 20 men were lost. The remainderofthe crew were picked up byone ofthe patrol boats andbrought into Queenstown.Survivors are frequently brought here, but it is not that often that a man-of-war istorpedoed. It shows however that we must be on alert at all times or the submarinemay get a chance at us.

Our dinner with Captain and Mrs. Evans at the Queen's Hotel was veryenjoyable. We remained until about eleven o'clock before returning to our ships.

TuesdayMay 8 [1917][Queenstown and at Sea]

Everson has completed his watch bill for the duty to be performed under theseunusual conditions. During daylight, three gun crews will stand watch in rotationat the forecastle. One man will be lookout at the gun-being relieved every halfhour. The rest of the gun crew on watch will be permitted to sit down. At nightgun crews will relieve every two hours.

The fourth gun crew will stand the lookout watches, day and night. Lookoutsrelieve every hour during daylight and every half hour after dark. At night therelieved lookout must remain with his reHeffor five minutes to insure his beingused to the darkness.

The day lookouts are: one at the forecastle gun, one in the fore top (petty officer),one on the bridge, one on the after deck house (chiefpetty officer). The fire controltalker on watch also acts as additional lookout on the bridge. At night: one on theforecastle gun, one on the search light platform, two on the bridge, two on the afterdeck house.

The officers stand a watch in three excepting that Everson stands the second dogwatch. During the dark hours, at present from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., either Everson or Iare on the bridge in addition to the officer of the deck---each taking three hours.

Quartermasters and radio operators stand a watch in three. There is a radiocoding and decoding watch composed of the Chief Pharmacist's Mate, ChiefYeoman, and Chief Electrician. Gunner's mates stand a wheel watch in four.

The First Month 29

This is a strenuous routine and means that there are no such things as all nightsin for anybody while we are on patrol. There may be interruptions at anytimeowing to general quarters alarm gongs ringing.103

At ten o'clock this morning the Captains went to the Admiralty House toreceive our orders. The Admiral said he was going to try having us spend 6 daysout and 2 days in, but for the first trip the Wadsworth and McDougal would go forfour days, the Conyngham and Davis for six days and the Porter and Wainwright foreight days. Our first two days in port would be at Berehaven.

The operation order is as follows:

Orders for Destroyers-Area XXI.

No. W. 30. Admiral's Office Queenstown,7th May 1917

Memorandum.1. Destroyers will be worked as far as possible in the following pairs:

Magk,104 Narwhal;105 Wadsworth, McDougal; Sarpedon,I06 Mary Rose;Conyngham, Davis; Porter, Wainwright; Marne,I07 Rigorous;108 Parthian, Peyton.109

2. The principal areas on which it is intended they shall work at present are: L.3,4,5; I. 4,5,6; G. 2,3; G. 6,7; U. P. R 6; C. 3; A. 4; M. 4.110

3. It will not be possible to man all these areas at once, but such areas will be

occupied as the submarine pressure at the time requires.4. An attempt will be made to work the destroyers six days at sea, and two days

in harbor, ships leaving and arriving at 8:30 a.m. B.S.T.S. When ships have done much full speed, chasing submarines, etc., they may

not be able to remain out their full time, as they should start for home whentwo-thirds fuel short if that event should occur before their six days are up, thus

leaving sufficient fuel to chase a submarine when on the way home ifsuch a chanceoccurs.

6. Shelter may always be taken on account ofbad weather, serious derangement

of machinery, or to save the life of a member of the crew, etc., without asking

permission, but I should be informed as soon as possible so that the gap left open inthe patrol may be filled up if necessary.

7. A program is attached as a beginning, it will doubtless have to be modifiedlater. When ship wrecked crews are picked up they should only be brought directinto harbor if the captain has special reason for doing so; otherwise they can be kept

on board the ship remaining on her patrol.8. Submarines lately have nearly always returned to a torpedoed but floating

steamer to get metal out ofher.11I Approach her with the sun at your back; be careful

not to fire at the boats while at long range.9. When you meet what appears to be a valuable ship escort her if the waters

near are considered dangerous. Ifan "s.o.s.n call is received, and you think that youcan be in time to help, go and assist her; but do not as a rule go over 50 miles from

30 Queenstown Patrol

your area. Be careful not to ram boats to sink them as cases have occurred lately when

they have been left with bombs in them ready to explode when struck.10. Senior officers of destroyers are to give the necessary orders as regards what

speeds to cruise at, orders for zig-zagging, etc., as they know the capabilities of their

ships best.11. When escorting, it has been found best as a rule to cross from bow to bow, the

best distance being about 1,000 yards off; but this depends on the sea, visibility, etc. IIZ

12. Reports of proceedings are not required on arrival in harbor unless for somespecial reason such as signaling for attacking submarines, rescuing survivors, etc.

Lewis Bayly

Vice Admiral

Beginning at 2:00 p.m. we unmoored from our buoys and started on our fusthunt for the wily submarine. We had on board as passengers Captain Evans, whovolunteered to go in order to give us the benefit of his experience; and Lieut.Alston, who is to get our radio people started right.

The lookouts have been all eyes and there is nothing on the face of the sea thathas not been reported-birds, fish, drift wood-and a periscope! We went togeneral quarters and our periscope proved to be a boat hook. We passed severalmerchant ships under escort by sloops.

Just after 11 p.m. the general alarms rang and just as I got on the bridge I heardan explosion aft. The ship was going ahead full speed. I thought we had been struckin the stern by a torpedo but soon learned that a depth charge had been dropped.Everson and Falge were on deck and they had seen what they took to be thephosphorescent wake ofa submerged submarine and in passing over it saw manybubbles coming up, so the depth charge was let go. We circled around several timesand saw by the great amount of phosphorescence that the water was muchdisturbed, but could see no evidence of our having spotted a submarine-so weproceeded on our way towards our assigned patrol area.

SaturdayMay 12 [1917]Berehaven

Until this morning we have been patrolling our area, and have seen plenty ofwreckage, several boats adrift, oily streaks and oily areas. We have not seen asubmarine, but went to general quarters at least half a dozen times on sightingsuspicious objects. If a submarine succeeds in torpedoing us it will not be sobecause we do not keep a good 100kout.113 I feel sure that at present the submarinesare avoiding the patrol vessels and are going after unescorted merchant ships

The First Month 31

where there is very little danger to them in the attack. If this is so the best defensewill be to have so many patrol vessels that all valuable ships can be escorted as soonas they get in the danger area, which according to Germany begins at 20 WestLongitude, although only a few submarines have worked beyond ISO WestLongitude. Ifenough patrol vessels become available to keep the submarines downor make it extremely dangerous for them to attack merchant vessels, then theiroperations become a failure from their point of view, and in order to get at themerchant ships they must first destroy the patrol vessels. Perhaps the conditionswill require this action on their part before very long.114

Yesterday we fell in with the British merchant steamerMiddleham Castle, loadedwith shell and hay and bound for Liverpool. He was not on the list of ships to beescorted, but as he was going my way I escorted him until dark. I then left him inorder to proceed to Berehaven in accordance with our schedule.

Captain Evans was anxious to get the morning train for Queenstown and wasnot sure at what time it left Bantry, so instead ofgoing into Berehaven I sailed byand proceeded fifteen miles farther up Bantry Bay to the town ofthat name, wherewe anchored about eight o'clock. This is a picturesque harbor with plenty ofwaterand room for many destroyers. After breakfast we said good-bye to Captain Evansand Lieutenant Alston. It was a great pleasure to have had them on board and Ithink Captain Evans enjoyed the trip. Lieutenant Alston was sea sick the entiretime so I know he did not enjoy it.115

Arriving at Berehaven we went alongside the oil ship and refueled immediately.The McDougal had arrived shortly before us and was refueling. The sloopsSnuwdrop,116 Labumum117 and poppy118 (Lieutenant Commander Sherston,119Lieutenant Budgen, 120 and Lieutenant Hastingsl21) also called. Then LieutenantCommander Sharp, R.N.,122 the King's Harbor Master, called. He recentlysprained his ankle and was on crutches. When we finished oiling [we] shifted berthto Lawrence Cove.

After lunch I wrote letters and attended to official mail for a couple of hours.We were much disappointed at not receiving any mail from the States.

At 3 o'clock the steam launch called for us and Fairfield and I proceeded toCastletown. It rained most ofthe way, so the trip was not a pleasant one. We passedbyfour steamers which had been torpedoed at various times and successfully towedinto Berehaven where they were run aground, patched up sufficiently to pump thewater out and then taken to Queenstown or some other place for permanentrepairs. One of the steamers was a special service ship. After she was torpedoed allhands except the Captain and gun crews abandoned ship. When shewas apparentlydeserted and sinking the submarine came to the surface close aboard The Captainpressed the button, the sides of the deck houses concealing the guns fell away, theguns opened fire and before the submarine could submerge she was destroyed. Thespecial service ship was then towed into port, her cargo oflumber holding her up.

32 Queenstown Patrol

I hear that the captain, Commander Campbell, R.N., has destroyed threesubmarines by means of these ships, and that he is the only British naval